Evaluation of five filter media in column experiment on the removal of selected organic micropollutants and phosphorus from household wastewater.

A bench-scale column experiment was performed to study the removal of 31 selected organic micropollutants (MPs) and phosphorus by lignite, xyloid lignite (Xylit), granular activated carbon (GAC), Polonite® and sand over a period of 12 weeks. In total 29 out of the 31 MPs showed removal efficiency >90% by GAC with an average removal of 97 ±â€¯6%. Xylit and lignite were less efficient with an average removal of 80 ±â€¯28% and 68 ±â€¯29%, respectively. The removal efficiency was found to be impacted by the characterization of the sorbents and physicochemical properties of the compounds, as well as the interaction between the sorbents and compounds. For instance, Xylit and lignite performed well for relatively hydrophobic (log octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow) ≥3) MPs, while the removal efficiency of moderately hydrophilic, highly hydrophilic and negatively charged MPs were lower. The organic sorbents were found to have more functional groups at their surfaces, which might explain the higher adsorption of MPs to these sorbents. The removal of several MPs improved after four weeks in sand, Xylit, GAC and lignite which may be related to increased biological activity and biofilm development. GAC and sand had limited ability to remove phosphorus (12 ±â€¯27% and 14 ±â€¯2%, respectively), while the calcium-silicate material Polonite® precipitated phosphorus efficiently and increased the total phosphorus removal from 12% to 96% after the GAC filter.

Impact of on-site wastewater infiltration systems on organic contaminants in groundwater and recipient waters.

On-site sewage treatment facilities, particularly septic systems combined with soil infiltration, can be an important source of emerging organic contaminants in groundwater and surface water and thus represent a significant source of environmental and human exposure. Two infiltration systems in Åre municipality, Sweden, were examined to assess the occurrence of contaminants in groundwater and their fate and transport during infiltration. Groundwater samples, recipient surface water samples, and wastewater samples from septic tanks were collected from 2016 to 2017 covering all climatological seasons. These samples were analysed for a total of 103 contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, organic phosphorus flame-retardants, plasticisers, perfluoroalkyl substances, and food additives. Fourteen of 103 contaminants showed 100% detection frequency in groundwater at concentrations in the low ng L-1 to low µg L-1 range. Of the compounds analysed, tris(2­butoxyethyl) phosphate, sucralose, caffeine, and benzophenone showed high abundancy with maximum concentrations in the µg L-1 range. The data were normalised for dilution using chloride and sucralose as commonly applied tracers; however, the level of sucralose decreased significantly during infiltration and it is thus suboptimal as a sewage water tracer. Large differences between the two infiltration sites were observed in detection frequencies and concentrations in groundwater, which could be attributed to the system design and the contaminant's migration time from release to sampling point. Seasonal variation was observed for selected chemicals, and the more hydrophobic chemicals showed a higher tendency for attenuation, indicating sorption as a major retention mechanism. A moderate environmental risk to aquatic organisms was estimated in adjacent surface water for galaxolide, tris(1­chloro­2­propyl) phosphate, and tris(2­butoxyethyl) phosphate. Due to this site-dependency and potential environmental risks, further studies are needed on infiltration systems in different settings and on alternative treatment techniques to reduce the contaminant discharge from on-site sewage treatment facilities.

Mass fluxes per capita of organic contaminants from on-site sewage treatment facilities.

This study is the first attempt to quantify environmental fluxes per capita of organic contaminants discharged from on-site sewage treatment facilities (OSSFs) in affected recipients. Five sites were monitored around the River Fyris in Sweden: three mainly affected by OSSFs and two mainly affected by municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine environmental concentrations of 30 anthropogenic contaminants, including organophosphorus compounds, rubber and plastic additives, UV stabilizers, fragrances, surfactant ingredients and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Uni- and multivariate statistical analysis of the most frequently detected contaminants showed that median fluxes per capita of tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate, tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, and n-butylbenzene sulfonamide were similar at OSSF and STP sites, but the mass fluxes per capita of tris-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate, 2-(methylthio)benzothiazole, and galaxolide, were significantly lower (∼2-3-fold) at OSSF sites than at STP sites (Mann-Whitney, α = 0.05). Differences between these sites were larger in samples collected in summer and autumn than in samples collected in winter. Deviations likely originated from differences in fate processes and distances between source and sampling sites. Further studies are needed to characterize mass fluxes per capita of contaminants in waters that directly receive discharges from OSSFs.

Interaction effects among IFN-γ+874, IL-2-330, IL-10-1082, IL-10-592 and IL-4-589 polymorphisms on the clinical progression of subjects infected with hepatitis B virus and/or hepatitis C virus: a retrospective nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The natural outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections vary considerably among individuals The infection may heal naturally, or patients may succumb to chronic liver diseases, including chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanism is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the interaction among four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their influence on different clinical outcomes. METHODS: 277 individuals infected with HBV and/or HCV, including 81 patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, 122 asymptomatic HBV and/or HCV carriers and 74 controls who cleared HBV and HCV spontaneously, were involved in this study. The SNPs of four genes (rs2069762/-330 G/T of IL-2, rs2430561/+874A>T of IFN-γ, rs1800896/-1082G>A and rs1800872/-592C>A of IL-10 and rs2243250/-589C>T of IL-4) were analysed using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction or sequence-specific primer PCR. The gene-gene interactions were assessed using the multifactor-dimensionality reduction method. RESULTS: Interleukin (IL)-10-592 AC and IL-4-589 CC/CT showed a synergistic effect on liver inflammatory injury (p<0.01), whereas interferon (IFN)-γ+874 AA and IL-2-330 TT had a synergistic impact (p<0.05). IFN-γ+874 AA and IL-10-1082 AA had an antagonistic effect (p<0.01) on the clinical progression, including asymptomatic HBV and HCV carriers and chronic hepatitis. IL-2-330 TT and IL-10-1082 AA synergistically influenced the clinical outcome (p<0.05). IFN-γ+874 AA, IL-2-330 TT and IL-10-1082 AA interactively affected the clinical outcome including asymptomatic HBV and HCV carriers and chronic hepatitis (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Interactions among polymorphisms of IFN-γ+874 AA, IL-2-330 TT, IL-10-1082 AA, IL10--592 AC and IL-4-589 CC/CT significantly influenced the clinical progression of the subjects with HBV and/or HCV infection.

Fate of metals and emissions of organic pollutants from torrefaction of waste wood, MSW, and RDF.

Torrefaction of municipal solid waste (MSW), refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and demolition and construction wood (DC) was performed at 220°C and a residence time of 90min in a bench-scale reactor. The levels of toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) contained in emission from the torrefaction process were evaluated. In addition, main ash-forming elements and trace metals in the raw feedstock and char were determined. The use of MSW in fuel blends with DC resulted in lower PCDD and PCDF emissions after torrefaction, compared with the RDF blends. The migration of chlorine from the feedstock to the gas phase reduces the chlorine content of the char which may reduce the risk of alkali chloride-corrosion in char combustion. However, trace metals catalytically active in the formation of PCDD and PCDF remain in the char, thereby may promote PCDD and PCDF formation during subsequent char combustion for energy recovery; this formation is less extensive than when the feedstock is used.

Green conversion of municipal solid wastes into fuels and chemicals

Presently, the society is facing a serious challenge for the effective management of the increasing amount of produced municipal solid wastes. The accumulated waste has caused a series of environmental problems such as uncontrolled release of greenhouse gases. Moreover, the increasing amount of wastes has resulted in a shortage of areas available for waste disposal, resulting in a nonsustainable waste management. These problems led to serious public concerns, which in turn resulted in political actions aiming to reduce the amount of wastes reaching the environment. These actions aim to promote sustainable waste management solutions. The main objective of these policies is to promote the recycling of municipal solid waste and the conversion of waste to energy and valuable chemicals. These conversions can be performed using either biological (e.g., anaerobic digestion) or thermochemical processes (e.g., pyrolysis). Research efforts during the last years have been fruitful, and many publications demonstrated the effective conversation of municipal solid waste to energy and chemicals. These processes are discussed in the current review article together with the change of the waste policy that was implemented in the EU during the last years.

Mechanistic evaluation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, dibenzofuran and naphthalene isomer fingerprints in microwave pyrolysis of biomass.

Isomer distribution patterns of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and naphthalenes (PCNs) were investigated in microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) products of woody biomass. The feedstocks included bark and impregnated wood. The results indicated that isomer distributions in MAP are more selective compared to those reported from wood burning and waste incineration. Favored formation of 4-MoCDF and highly selective chlorine substitution at the 2,4-position observed during MAP suggested a preferred formation pathway of PCDFs involving (chloro)phenol precursors followed by subsequent chlorination. The PCDD distribution was dominated by isomers typically formed from chlorophenol condensation at relatively low temperature. The PCN isomer distributions showed a tendency for sequential chlorination from non-substituted naphthalene at successive positions. The presence of isomers such as 1-MoCDD, 4-MoCDF, 1,2,3-TriCN with low thermodynamic stability indicates that kinetic factors may be important in the MAP process.

PCDDs, PCDFs and PCNs in products of microwave-assisted pyrolysis of woody biomass--Distribution among solid, liquid and gaseous phases and effects of material composition.

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) of lignocellulosic biomass is a technique that could potentially be used to produce and upgrade renewable energy carriers. However, there is no available information about the formation of dioxins and other organic pollutants in MAP treatment of woody biomass. In this study, MAP experiments were conducted in lab-scale using virgin softwood, bark, and impregnated wood as feedstocks. The non-condensable gas, liquid (fractionated into aqueous and oil phases), and char fractions generated during pyrolysis were collected and analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and naphthalenes (PCNs). The concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCNs in the pyrolysis products ranged from 0.52 to 43.7 ng kg(-1). All investigated compound groups were most abundant in the oil fraction, accounting for up to 68% (w/w) of the total concentrations. The highest PCDD, PCDF and PCN concentrations were found from the pyrolysis of bark, which has relatively high contents of chlorine and mineral matter, followed by impregnated wood, which contains organic and metal-based preservatives. The homologue profiles of all three compound groups were dominated by the less chlorinated homologues. The homologue abundance decreased as the degree of chlorination increased. This trend was observed for all three feedstocks.

[Associations of signal transducer and activators of transcription 3 polymorphism with the susceptibility to hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of signal transducer and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) -1096G/C polymorphism in promoter region with the susceptibility to HBsAg positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A total of 632 patients with HCC and 723 HBV-infected subjects without HCC treated at Changhai Hospital of Shanghai from 2009 to 2012 were included in this case-control study. The polymorphism of STAT3 -1096 G/C was genotyped by Fluorescent probe-Real time quantitative PCR. Univariate analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The frequency of genetic allele STAT3 -1096G/C (GC+CC) of control group and case group were 61.83% (447/723) and 60.60% (383/632), while difference of HCC risk was not found among different genotypes (OR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.76-1.18). When stratified by sex, the frequency of genetic allele STAT3 -1096C (GC+CC) of control group and case group were 62.18% (314/505) and 61.75% (331/536) in men, 61.01% (133/218) and 54.17% (52/96) in women, respectively, while difference of HCC risk was not found among different genotypes (OR = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.77-1.26; OR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.47-1.26, respectively). When stratified by HBV genotypes, the frequency of genetic allele STAT3 -1096C (GC+CC) of control group and case group were 61.45% (110/179) and 53.13% (34/64) in HBV genotype B, 62.87% (276/439) and 60.27% (226/375) in HBV genotype C, respectively, while difference of HCC risk was not found among different genotypes (OR = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.40-1.26; OR = 0.90, 95%CI: 0.68-1.19, respectively). CONCLUSION: STAT3 -1096G/C polymorphism was not associated with the susceptibility to HCC for the HBV-infected subjects without HCC.

Monosaccharide compositional analysis of marine polysaccharides by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple and sensitive method was developed using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for determination of monosaccharides liberated from marine polysaccharides by acidic hydrolysis. Optimal separation of diastereomeric monosaccharides including hexoses, pentoses, and deoxyhexoses was achieved using an aminopropyl bonded column with mobile phase containing ternary solvents (acetonitrile/methanol/water) in conjunction with MS/MS in SRM mode. Mechanisms for fragmentation of deprotonated monosaccharides with regard to cross-ring cleavage were proposed. Matrix effects from coeluting interferences were observed and isotopic-labeled internal standard was used to compensate for the signal suppression. The method demonstrated excellent instrumental limits of detection (LOD), ranging from 0.7 to 4.2 pg. Method LODs range from 0.9 to 5.1 nM. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of polysaccharides in seawater collected from the open leads of the central Arctic Ocean in the summer of 2008.

[Association of IL-10-1082 and IL-10-592 polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C virus infection among plasma donors in a rural area of Hebei Province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between the polymorphisms of interleukin-10 gene at position--1082,-592 (IL-10-1082, IL-10-592) and chronic HBV and/or HCV infection. METHODS: 277 subjects (79 chronic HCV/HBV co-infection,69 chronic HBV infection, 55 chronic HCV infection and 74 control subjects) were recruited from plasma donors in a rural area of Hebei Province, China. The single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-10-1082 and IL-10-592 was investigated by sequence specific primer-PCR (SSP-PCR) and restricted fragment long polymorphism-PCR (RFLP-PCR). Hepatocellular injury was detected by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with Beckman LX-20 analyzer. The presence of hepatitis C viral particles in serum was determined by RT-nPCR. RESULTS: (1) Chronic HCV or HBV infection or HCV/HBV co-infection was associated with higher frequency of IL-10-1082 AA genotype [chi2 = 13.05, P = 0.04; OR = 2.29 (1.10-4.78), 2.34 (1.07-5.10), 2.56 (1.25 -5.21)]. There was no significant association of IL-10-1082 allele frequency with HCV or HBV infection or HCV/HBV co-infections (chi2 = 4.65, P = 0.20). There was no significant association of IL-10-592 genotype and allele frequency with chronic HBV and/or HCV infection (chi2 = 2.83, P = 0.83; chi2 = 1.10, P = 0.78) (2) There were obvious associations of higher IL-10-1082 AA genotype and A allele frequency with HCV replication [(chi2 = 12.27, P = 0.00; chi2 = 5.36, P = 0.02), OR = 3.36 (1.67-6.76) and 1.67 (1.08-2.57)]. The polymorphism of IL-10592 was not associated with HCV RNA replication (chi2 = 2.10, P = 0.35; chi2 = 1.88, P = 0.17). (3) The polymorphism of IL-10-1082 was not significantly associated with abnormal ALT (chi2 = 3.25, P = 0.20; chi2 = 1.79, P = 0.18). Abnormal serum ALT level was associated with IL-10-592 AC genotype [(chi2 = 6.32, P = 0.04), OR = 2.83 (1.26- 6.37)), but the IL-10-592 A/C allele frequency was not associated with abnormal serum ALT level (chi2 = 2.30, P = 0.09). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the polymorphism of IL-10-1082 appears to have some influences on the chronic infection of HCV and/or HBV and HCV replication. IL-10-592 AC genotype frequency has influence on inflammatory liver injury.

[Relations between IL-2-330 polymorphisms and the outcome of hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C virus infection].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between polymorphisms in interleukin-2 gene at position -330 (IL-2-330) and the clinical outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS: 277 subjects were recruited including 79 chronic HCV co-HBV infection, 55 chronic HCV infection, 69 chronic HBV infection and 74 controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-2-330 was investigated by restricted fragment long polymorphism-PCR (RFLP-PCR). Hepatocellular injury, as revealed by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was detected by Beckman LX-20 analyzer. The presence of hepatitis C viral particles in serum was determined by RT-nPCR. RESULTS: (1) IL-2-330 polymorphisms showed close association with persistent HBV and/or HCV infection. IL-2-330 TT was associated with an increased risk, but IL-2-330 GG with a reduced risk of persistent HBV and/or HCV infection (χ(2) = 14.24, P = 0.03) with ORs (95%CI) as 7.14 (2.13 - 23.81), 3.46 (1.17 - 10.02) and 2.93 (1.15 - 7.46) respectively. However, IL-2-330 TT/GG did not significantly differ between patients with HBV and/or HCV infection (χ(2) = 2.09, P = 0.72). IL-2-330 T allele was associated with an increased risk, but the -330G allele was associated with a reduced risk of chronic HBV/HCV infection (χ(2) = 12.33, P = 0.01), with ORs (95%CI) as 2.26 (1.39 - 3.69), 1.82(1.09 - 3.03) and 1.73 (1.10-2.73) respectively. (2) IL-2-330 polymorphisms showed significant association with the outcome of HBV and HCV infection (χ(2) = 13.52, P = 0.04). IL-2-330 TT was associated with an increased risk, but -330 GG with a reduced risk of mild CH, moderate/severe CH, and cirrhosis. The ORs (95%CI) appeared to be 3.33 (1.75 - 6.32), 3.31 (1.75 - 6.26), 11.23 (3.09 - 40.76) respectively. IL-2-330 T allele was associated with an increased risk, but the -330 G allele was associated with a reduced risk of mild CH, moderate/severe CH and cirrhosis (χ(2) = 12.32, P = 0.01), with ORs as 1.86 (1.32 - 2.63), 1.71 (1.27 - 2.31) and 2.77 (1.57 - 4.89) respectively. (3) The polymorphisms of IL-2-330 showed no association with HCV RNA replication (χ(2) = 0.83, P = 0.66; χ(2) = 0.20, P = 0.66). The polymorphisms of IL-2-330 were not significantly associated with abnormal ALT (χ(2) = 1.10, P = 0.58; χ(2) = 0.08, P = 0.78). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that IL-2-330 TT/T was associated with an increased risk, but IL-2-330 GG/G was associated with reduced risk of persistent HBV and/or HCV infection, and with the development of mild CH, moderated/severe CH, and cirrhosis.

[Association between IFN-gamma+874 polymorphisms and the clinical outcomes of hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C virus infection.].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between polymorphisms of interferon-gamma gene intron 1 at position +874 (IFN-gamma+874) gene and the susceptibility of HBV and/or HCV infection with different clinical outcomes. METHODS: IFN-gamma+874 gene SNP were detected in 277 subjects including 79 chronic HBV/HCV coinfections, 69 individuals only with HBV infection, 55 individuals only with HCV infection and 74 controls, by sequence specific primers-PCR (SSP-PCR). Hepatocellular injury as suggested by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was detected by Beckman LX-20. The status of viral particles in serum was determined by RT-nPCR. The possible association of the polymorphism of IFN-gamma+874 with the susceptibility of HBV and/or HCV infection and the outcome of these infections were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) IFN-gamma+874 AA frequency in individuals with chronic HBV, HCV, HBV/HCV coinfections were significant higher than that in controls (chi(2) = 16.15, P = 0.01);OR (95%CI) of IFN-gamma+874 AA in chronic infection with HBV, HCV, HBV/HCV coinfections appeared to be 2.70 (1.24 - 5.92), 3.22 (1.43 - 7.25) and 4.02 (1.88 - 8.55) compared with +874 TA. No significant differences were found among HBV, HCV, HBV/HCV coinfections (chi(2) = 1.97, P = 0.73). There were no significant association of IFN-gamma+874 A/T allele frequency with HBV and/or with HCV infection (chi(2) = 4.87, P = 0.18). (2) The clinical outcomes of mild chronic hepatitis (CH), moderate/severe CH and cirrhosis with HBV and/or HCV infection were associated with IFN-gamma+874 AA [chi(2) = 14.17, P = 0.03; OR = 3.09 (1.51 - 6.33), 3.85 (1.70 - 8.70), 3.14 (1.08 - 9.17)]. No significant relationships were found between IFN-gamma+874 A/T allele frequency and the clinical outcome of HBV/HCV infection (chi(2) = 6.07, P = 0.11). (3) There were no significant associations of IFN-gamma+874 genotype/allele frequency with HCV duplication (chi(2) = 2.36, P = 0.31). (4) There were no significant associations of IFN-gamma+874 genotype/allele frequency with abnormal ALT (chi(2) = 0.15, P = 0.93). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that polymorphisms in the IFN-gamma+874 had some influence on chronic HCV and/or HBV infection, and on the outcome of HCV and/or HBV infections. IFN-gamma+874 AA genotype and T allele were possible risk to chronic HBV and/or HCV infections and to the outcomes of HBV and/or HCV infection. However, IFN-gamma+874 TA genotype might serve as possible protective factors to them.

Characterization of exopolysaccharides in marine colloids by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection.

A method was established using capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection for analysis of monosaccharides liberated from exopolysaccharides by acidic hydrolysis. Tangential flow filtration was used to isolate high molecular weight polysaccharides from seawater. The capillary electrophoresis method included the use of a background electrolyte consisting of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Several neutral sugars commonly existing in marine polysaccharides were separated under optimized conditions. The relative standard deviations were between 1.3% and 2.3% for relative migration time and 1.3-2.5% for peak height. Detection limits (at S/N 3) were in the range of 27.2-47.8 microM. The proposed approach was applied to the analysis of hydrolyzed colloidal polysaccharides in seawater collected from the Baltic Sea. Nanomolar levels of liberated monosaccharides in seawater samples can be detected by preconcentration up to 30,000 times.

Polymorphisms of some cytokines and chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection.

AIM: To study the relationship between the polymorphisms in some cytokines and the outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 203 patients infected with HBV and/or HCV while donating plasma in 1987, and 74 controls were obtained from a rural area of North China. Antibodies to HBV or HCV antigens were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The presence of viral particles in the serum was determined by nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Hepatocellular injury, as revealed by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase level, was detected by a Beckman LX-20 analyzer. DNA was extracted from blood cells. Then, the single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-2-330, IFN-gamma+874, IL-10-1082/-592 and IL-4-589 were investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR or sequence specific primer-PCR. RESULTS: Persistent infection with HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV coinfection was associated with IL-2-330 TT genotype and T allele, IFN-gamma+874 AA genotype, and IL-10-1082 AA genotype. The clinical outcome of HBV and/or HCV infection was associated with IL-2-330 TT genotype and T allele, IFN-gamma+874 AA genotype, and IL-10-1082 AA genotype. IL-2-330 GG genotype frequency showed a negative correlation with clinical progression, IL-10-1082 AA genotype frequency showed a positive correlation and IL-10-1082 AG genotype frequency showed a negative correlation with clinical progression. HCV RNA positive expression was associated with IL-10-1082 AA genotype and the A allele frequency. Abnormal serum ALT level was associated with IL-10-592 AC genotype frequency and IL-4-589 CC genotype, CT genotype, and the C allele. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that polymorphisms in some cytokine genes influence persistent HBV and HCV infection, clinical outcome, HCV replication, and liver damage.

[Analyses of anti-hCV detected by ELISA and HCV RNA detected by RT-nPCR in chronic hepatitis C virus infectors].

OBJECTIVE: In order to provide the basis for the clinical test and the blood station screening the health donator, the results of anti-HCV tested by ELISA (enzyme-linked-immuno-absorbed assay ) and HCV RNA tested by RT-nPCR (reverse-transcript-nested-polymerase-chain-reaction) were compared in the chronic hepatitis C virus infectors. METHODS: Venous blood samples of 133 chronic hepatitis C virus infectors, 52 health controls were collected in May 2005. These infectors were infected with HCV nearly in 1990 through plasma donator and diagnosed in 1993 in a rural area of Zhao County in Hebei Province, which remained the same diagnosis as HCV infectors in 2002 Hebei Province. The anti-HCV was tested by ELISA and HCV RNA was tested by RT-nPCR. RESULTS: (1) In 185 cases, the positive rates of both anti-HCV and HCV RNA were 49.73% (92/185). The rate of anti-HCV negative but HCV RNA positive was 9.73% (18/185). The rate of anti-HCV positive but HCV RNA negative was 11.89% (22/185). The negative rate of both anti-HCV and HCV RNA tested was 28.65% (53/185). The result-agreement rate of ELISA and RT-nPCR methods were 78.38% [(92 + 53)/185]. The disagreement rate between ELISA and RT-nPCR methods was not obviously different (paired chi2 = 0.40, P > 0.05). (2) In the chronic HCV infectors, the sensitivity of anti-HCV tested by ELISA was 82.71%, the specificity was 92.31%, and the omitting rate was 17.29%. The sensitivity of HCV RNA tested by RT-nPCR was 81.20%, the specificity was 96.15%, and the omitting rate was 18.80%. The sensitivity between ELISA and RT-nPCR was not obviously different (chi2 = 0.102, P > 0.05). (3) The sensitivity tested by ELISA combined with RT-nPCR was 96.75%, which was evidently higher than that of single ELISA (82.71%) (chi2 = 9.62, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The false negative rate was nearly 17% when anti-HCV was tested with single ELISA in HCV infectors. The positive testing rate of HCV infection was increased remarkably when ELISA and RT-nPCR were tested simultaneously.

[The dose-response relationship study between the quantitative morphological stereology on thyroid and different iodine doses in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the dose-response relationship between the quantitative morphological stereology on thyroid and different iodine doses in mice. METHODS: Weaning Kunming mice were randomly divided into seven groups. The mice were fed for 100 days with distilled water containing different KIO3 concentrations, i.e. 50, 250, 500, 1 000, 1 500, 2 000, and 3 000 microgram/L respectively. The 50 microgram/L (proper iodine concentration) group was control group, and the groups of 250 approximately 3 000 microgram/L were high iodine groups. The stereology parameters of thyroid follicle and follicular cavities were measured with HPIAS-1000 (High Resolution Pathological Image & word Analysis System). The stereology parameters included mean surface, volume on area, volume on circumference, specific surface, numerical density on area, spherical factor, the percentage of mean surface and mean volume of the follicular epithelial cell in thyroid follicle was further calculated. RESULTS: Positive correlations was observed between the thyroid absolute and relative weight, goiter rate and different iodine doses. And the thyroid absolute and relative weight of mice in the 250 microgram/L group was significantly different from that in 50 microgram/L group. The goiter rate of mice in different high iodine groups was in conformity with that of epidemiological investigation. The goiter rate of mice in 500 microgram/L group was different from that in 50 microgram/L group. Positive correlations were observed between mean surface, volume on area, volume on circumference, spherical factor and iodine doses, but the negative correlations were observed between numerical density on area, specific surface, the percentage of mean surface and mean volume of the follicular epithelial cell in thyroid follicle and iodine doses. CONCLUSIONS: When Iodine doses are between 250 approximately 3 000 microgram/L, the dose-response relationship was observed between the morphological stereology parameters of thyroid follicle and follicular cavities and iodine doses, and when the dose of iodine is 250 microgram/L, it is possible to induce colloid goiter of mice. The goiter rates of mice resulted by different high iodine doses were in conformity with that of the epidemiological investigation of people.